NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote Thursday that QB Aaron Rodgers “will likely” return to the Steelers next season. Rodgers is set to meet with the team Friday, and a new deal could follow shortly after.

The Steelers watched RB Kenneth Gainwell agree to a deal with Tampa Bay on Monday and will apparently fill his spot with Rico Dowdle. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the former Panther has reached agreement with Pittsburgh, though details are not yet available. Joining the Steelers will meet Dowdle back up with HC Mike McCarthy, who piloted the Cowboys for the entirety of Dowdle's time there.

ESPN's David Newton doesn't expect free agent RB Rico Dowdle to return to the Panthers. "Unless Dowdle wants to return at a bargain price, he appears headed to his third team in three seasons," Newton wrote via ESPN.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (toe) is not listed on the final Week 18 injury report. He was held out on Wednesday but put in full practices on Thursday and Friday. The toe shouldn't be a factor in Saturday's game against the Buccaneers. Carolina leaned on the pass in the Week 16 meeting against Tampa Bay, and Dowdle finished with just 29 rushing yards on nine carries.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (toe) returned to a full practice on Wednesday. He'll be ready for lead duties in this weekend's game vs. the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay held Dowdle to 43 scoreless yards in their Week 16 meeting.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle missed Tuesday's practice with a toe issue. HC Dave Canales labeled him "day to day," so it doesn't sound like this is something that will keep Dowdle from playing against the Buccaneers on Saturday. But we'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days. RB Chuba Hubbard would step into a workhorse role if Dowdle missed Week 18.

WR Tetairoa McMillan went 6-73-1 on 10 targets against the Buccaneers. Jalen Coker was the next highest WR with 5 targets. McMillan matched up against CB Jamel Dean often who had been stout against outside WRs, but McMillan was able to win multiple times one-on-one. As the Panthers march toward the NFC South crown, McMillan has proved himself to be an elite option who can be relied upon for the fantasy championship (and next season).

Before their Week 14 bye, it looked like the Carolina Panthers were shifting to a committee backfield with Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. But in Week 15, Dowdle out-carried Hubbard 16-8 and scored a TD to reclaim his status as Carolina's lead back. Neither back had much success against the Saints, who held the duo to a combined 3.25 yards per carry as New Orleans pulled off a 20-17 upset win.

Panthers RBs Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle split touches throughout the team’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, but Hubbard outproduced Dowdle. Hubbard went 17-83-0 on the ground and 2-41-1 through the air. Dowdle went 18-58-0 on the ground and 2-21-0 through the air. Hubbard also outsnapped Dowdle 38 to 27 with Hubbard running 15 routes to Dowdle’s 6. This could make both only borderline starts moving forward despite the heavy lean on the run game.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle went 18-53-1 on the ground and caught all three of his targets for 10 yards. He had 84% of backfield touches with Chuba Hubbard getting the other 16%. Despite the large volume, Dowdle struggled to find much running room with his worst yards per carry since Week 2 (2.9).

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (quad) is not listed on the final Week 10 injury report after putting in a full practice on Friday. He dominated backfield work last week and is in a nice spot this Sunday with Carolina a 5.5-point favorite over the Saints. Dowdle sits eighth in the Week 10 RB rankings.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (quad) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. That should have him on track to play vs. the Saints this weekend, but we'll see how he's listed on Friday's final injury report.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle (quad) did not practice on Wednesday. He got banged up multiple times in last week's win over the Packers but was able to return each time. "We're counting on him this weekend," HC Dave Canales said after Wednesday's practice. Dowdle can stay penciled into Week 10 fantasy lineups for now, but we'll keep a close eye on him over the next few days. Dowdle's absence would get Chuba Hubbard back into a feature role.

Entering Week 9, Panthers HC Dave Canales indicated that RB Rico Dowdle would see an uptick in touches. Canales delivered on that sentiment, feeding Dowdle an 80% carry share on a 74% snap rate. The results? 25 carries, 130 yards, and 2 scores, giving him his third game with 28+ PPR points this season.

The Athletic's Joe Person came away from Panthers HC Dave Canales' Monday press conference believing that it "seems pretty clear Dave Canales is going to give Rico Dowdle the lion's share of carries." Canales said that he wanted to give RB Chuba Hubbard an opportunity coming back from his calf injury, per Person, but that "we cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional."

Panthers RBs Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard disappointed fantasy managers again against the Bills combining for 20-88-1 on the ground with no catches. Hubbard was the starter at 12-34-1 while Dowdle had the most rushing yards at 8-54-0. Neither hit double-digit fantasy points in PPR leagues.

After missing two games with a calf injury, Chuba Hubbard returned as Carolina's starting RB in the team's 13-6 win over the Jets. Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, who accounted for 473 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs while Hubbard was sidelined, rotated drives throughout the game. They combined to rush 31 times for 110 yards.